Airports in Costa Rica: The Complete Guide to SJO, LIR & Every Airport Code
- Aug 26, 2024
- 7 min read
Planning a trip to Costa Rica starts with one decision: which airport to fly into. This guide covers every airport in the country — international and domestic — their IATA codes, which one you should actually choose, and everything you need for a smooth arrival.
Quick answer: Costa Rica has 2 international airports — Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia — plus around a dozen smaller domestic airports and airstrips.
Table of Contents
1. How many airports are in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has 2 major international airports that handle almost all international arrivals, plus roughly a dozen smaller domestic airports and airstrips serving regional destinations.
International airports (main entry points):
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) — San José
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) — Liberia, Guanacaste
Domestic/regional airports:
Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP) — gateway to Manuel Antonio
Nosara Airport (NOB) — Nicoya Peninsula
Tamarindo Airport (TNO) — surf destination
La Fortuna Airport — near Arenal Volcano
Tortuguero Airstrip — only accessible by air or boat
Palmar Sur, Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, and other Sansa/domestic strips serving the South Pacific and Osa Peninsula
For almost every international visitor, the trip begins at SJO or LIR. Domestic carriers like Sansa Air connect these two hubs to the smaller regional airstrips.
2. What airports are in Costa Rica? (Full List + Codes)
Airport | Code | Location | Type |
Juan Santamaría International | SJO | Alajuela / San José | International |
Daniel Oduber Quirós International | LIR | Liberia, Guanacaste | International |
Quepos La Managua | XQP | Quepos | Domestic |
Tamarindo | TNO | Tamarindo | Domestic |
Nosara | NOB | Nosara | Domestic |
Golfito | GLF | Golfito | Domestic |
Puerto Jiménez | PJM | Osa Peninsula | Domestic |
Palmar Sur | PMZ | Palmar Sur | Domestic |
Tortuguero | TTQ | Tortuguero | Domestic (airstrip) |
3. Costa Rica Airport Codes
The two codes that matter for booking an international flight to Costa Rica are:
SJO — Juan Santamaría International Airport, near San José. This is the country's main airport code and the one most international flights use.
LIR — Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, in Liberia, Guanacaste.
⚠️ Common mix-up: SJO is not the same as SJC (Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, in San José, California). Always double-check the code when booking.
4. SJO — The main airport in Costa Rica
What is the main airport in Costa Rica? It's Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela, about 16 km northwest of San José. It's the country's largest, busiest, and best-connected airport, and the default entry point for most visitors.
Key facts about SJO:
IATA Code: SJO
Location: Alajuela, 16 km from San José
Annual passengers: 5.7 million (2023, a record year)
Regional ranking: 3rd best airport in Latin America & the Caribbean
Airlines: American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Air Canada, Avianca, Iberia, Air France, Aeroméxico, Air Panamá, Iberojet
Amenities:
Duty-free shops, restaurants and cafés, ATMs and currency exchange, a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, car rental counters (Hertz, Alamo, Budget), tourist information desks, and shared/private shuttle services.
Best for:
San José and the Central Valley, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and travelers who want the widest flight selection and most competitive prices.
👉 Need a ride from SJO? Book your SJO airport shuttle here.
5. LIR — Liberia Costa Rica Airport
If your trip is beach-focused, the Liberia Costa Rica airport — officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) — is likely your best entry point. It's the gateway to Guanacaste, Costa Rica's most popular beach region, and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Key facts about LIR:
IATA Code: LIR
Location: Liberia, Guanacaste Province
Annual passengers: Over 1 million international travelers/year
Regional ranking: 9th busiest airport in Central America
Airlines: American, Delta, Southwest, Copa, United, Air Canada (seasonal), Frontier (seasonal) — service is strongest December–April
Amenities:
restaurants and snack bars, car rental services, tourist information desks, a bank branch and ATMs, medical assistance, and baggage handling.
Best for:
Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, the Papagayo Peninsula, all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste, surfers, and travelers heading to the Nicoya Peninsula (Nosara, Sámara, Santa Teresa).
👉 Arriving at LIR? Book your LIR airport shuttle here.
6. SJO vs LIR: What airport should you fly into for Costa Rica?
Choose SJO (San José) if:
You want the widest selection of flights and airlines
Your trip includes San José, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, or Monteverde
You're planning a multi-destination road trip
You're arriving from Europe or South America
You want the most competitive flight prices
Choose LIR (Liberia) if:
Your main destination is the Guanacaste coast (Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, Hermosa, Papagayo)
You're staying at a beach resort in the northwest
You want to minimize transit time after landing
You're visiting the Nicoya Peninsula
A direct flight from your city serves LIR at a comparable price
Pro tip: Use Skyscanner's flexible-dates search with "Costa Rica" as the destination country to compare prices across both airports at once — you might be surprised which one wins.
Tip for multi-region trips: If your itinerary covers both the beach and the Central Valley, fly into one airport and out of the other — it saves a 4–5 hour backtrack.
7. Getting between SJO and LIR
Private/shared shuttle: The most comfortable option. Door-to-door shuttle service covers both airports and all major destinations. Travel time is roughly 4–5 hours.
Domestic flights: Sansa Air connects San José to regional airports; there's no direct SJO–LIR route, but you can connect through regional hubs.
Public bus: The Liberia–San José Pulmitan service runs several times daily for about $10–15, taking 4–5 hours.
Rental car: The SJO–LIR drive via the Pan-American Highway (Route 1) is about 230 km / 4 hours in normal conditions.
Related reads:
8. Entry requirements & arrival tips
Valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
US, Canadian, and EU citizens don't need a visa for stays under 90 days (check current rules for your nationality)
Proof of onward/return travel may be requested
Have your first accommodation's address ready for the immigration form
Duty-free allowance: up to two liters of alcohol, a carton of cigarettes, and reasonable personal items
Departure tax is now typically included in your airline ticket — confirm with your airline
9. Practical tips for Costa Rica Airports
Money: ATMs at both airports dispense colones (CRC) and sometimes USD. Avoid exchanging money at airport kiosks — rates are usually poor.
Connectivity: Local SIM cards (Kölbi, Movistar, Claro) and eSIMs are available at both SJO and LIR.
Getting to your hotel: Pre-book your transfer for a stress-free arrival. Official red taxis ("máquinas") are metered — always confirm the meter is running. Uber operates in most zones from both airports, and shuttle services like Pura Vida Traveling offer fixed-rate shared and private transfers.
Arrival timing: Arrive at least 3 hours before an international departure (2 hours for domestic flights). During peak season (December–April), lean toward the longer end.
Climate: Dry season (December–April) is hot; rainy season (May–November) calls for a light rain layer. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes.
Ready to land and go?
Pura Vida Traveling offers private and shared shuttles from both SJO and LIR to every major destination in the country. Book your airport shuttle here.
You might also like:
FAQ: Airports in Costa Rica
How many airports are in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has 2 major international airports — SJO near San José and LIR in Liberia — plus about a dozen smaller domestic airports and airstrips serving destinations like Quepos, Nosara, Tamarindo, La Fortuna, and Tortuguero.
What airports are in Costa Rica?
The two international airports are SJO (San José) and LIR (Liberia). Domestic airports include Quepos (XQP), Nosara (NOB), Tamarindo (TNO), Palmar Sur (PMZ), Golfito (GLF), and Tortuguero.
What airport for Costa Rica should I choose?
It depends on your destination. Beach trips to Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, Papagayo) → LIR. Everything else — San José, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Monteverde, the Caribbean coast — → SJO, which also typically has more flight options and lower fares.
What airport is in Costa Rica?
The two international airports are Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), near San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), in Liberia, Guanacaste. SJO is the country's primary and busiest airport.
What is the main airport in Costa Rica?
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela, about 16 km from San José. It's the country's largest and busiest airport, handling 5.7 million passengers in 2023, and is ranked the 3rd best airport in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What is the Liberia Costa Rica airport code?
LIR — the IATA code for Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.
What does SJO stand for?
SJO is the IATA code for Juan Santamaría International Airport, Costa Rica's main international airport.
Are SJO and SJC the same airport?
No. SJO is Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica. SJC is Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport in San José, California, USA. Double-check when booking.
Which Costa Rica airport has cheaper flights?
Generally SJO, since it's served by more airlines and more competition. LIR can occasionally be cheaper on direct routes from certain US cities with Southwest or Delta service. Compare both with a flexible-dates search.
Is there Wi-Fi at Costa Rica airports?
Yes, both SJO and LIR offer free Wi-Fi for a limited time, with unlimited access in some lounges.
How early should I arrive at a Costa Rica airport?
At least 3 hours before an international departure, 2 hours for domestic. Arrive on the earlier end during peak season (December–April).
Do both Costa Rica airports offer shuttle service?
Yes. Both SJO and LIR have private and shared shuttle services, including fixed-rate transfers from Pura Vida Traveling to all major destinations.
Comments